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Echoing the now-famous phrase that
came to define her husband’s 2008 presidential campaign, Michelle Obama urged
young African women Wednesday to win the battles against hunger, AIDS, and
poverty that have long run rampant in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Yes we can,” Mrs. Obama repeated
four times to an excited crowd at the Young African Women Leaders Forum as she
concluded her speech in Soweto, South Africa.
“I am here today because when it
comes to the challenges we face, we simply don’t have time to sit back and
wait,” Mrs. Obama said during the speech. “I’m here because I believe that each
of you is ready, right here and right now, to start meeting these challenges.”
The address was delivered at a
Catholic Church named “Regina Mundi,” Latin for “Queen of the World.” Graca
Machel, the wife of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, introduced
Mrs. Obama as the “queen of our world.”
Mrs. Obama’s official state visit to Africa will also include
stops in Gaborone and Botswana, and is aimed at promoting education, health and
wellness in addition to leadership. The first lady has engaged in similar
efforts during past trips to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, India, Mexico and the
United Kingdom.
Mrs. Obama’s full remarks after the
jump:
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you so much. It is such a pleasure and an honor
to be here with all of you today.
I want to start by thanking Graca Machel for that just gracious, kind
introduction. It is overwhelming. And I want to thank her for her lifetime of
service as a champion for women and children. And from the bottom of my heart,
I want to thank you for all of the kindness and generosity that you have shown
my family for our visit here. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
I am also honored to share the stage with another remarkable leader, Baleka
Mbete. (Applause.) She has played a vital role in advancing equality and
promoting development here in South Africa. Thank you to the both of you for joining
us here for sharing this moment with all of us.
I also want to thank the Archbishop of Johannesburg for honoring us today
with his presence.
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